Gender and Governance Overview Report

With their focus on democracy, transparency, accountability, inclusive citizenship and participatory processes there is huge potential in the ideas and practices of governance to catalyse real change in terms of gender equality. However, this potential remains largely untapped. This Overview Report points to the failure to challenge the entrenched unequal, gendered power relations and other forms of exclusion that have been built into governing processes and institutions for centuries. It argues that gender equality in these decision-making fora is vital, both for enabling far-reaching social change and for empowering people excluded from decision-making on the grounds of their gender. This report considers how we can ensure that the principles of inclusive, accountable governance go beyond rhetoric. Through an examination of innovative work on gender and governance, the report highlights where opportunities lie for achieving gender-sensitive governance processes and institutions.